Rooney signs for £300,000 a week

Wayne Rooney committed his future to Manchester United and then pledged to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

Rooney finally ended speculation regarding his future on Friday when he signed a four-year contract extension worth a whopping £300,000 a week.

With 18 months left on his previous deal some of Europe's top clubs began to take a keen interest in the England striker, but he has now committed his future to United until the end of the 2018-19 season.

"I'm very happy to have signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United," Rooney told his official website.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to know that I will be playing here for the majority of my career is something that I'm looking forward to.

"I'm happy that everything is now finalised and I can carry on concentrating on my football."

It was thought that Moyes' chequered history with Rooney would hinder the club's chances of renewing the contract of their star striker.

Moyes successfully sued Rooney for claims he made about the Scot in his autobiography in 2006, but the pair have since buried the hatchet.

Indeed the pair have built up a successful working relationship since Moyes took over the United hot-seat last summer and Rooney is convinced that the former Everton manager remains the right man to maintain the success that Sir Alex Ferguson brought to the club during his 26 years in charge.

United may be 11 points adrift of the top four with 12 games left, but the possibility of missing out on the Champions League has not put Rooney off signing what may end up being the final contract of his career.

"I know that's what some thought but it's not a massive concern for me," Rooney said.

"This is because I know the direction that this club is going in, and if we don't make it this season then we will come back stronger and claim a Champions League spot next season.

"Let's not forget we still have a chance this year, some of the other teams are playing well but we have a strong squad here and if we have a positive end to the season then who knows what can happen?"

United's best hope of qualifying for the Champions League may be through winning the competition just as Rooney did in 2008.

To bring back such glory days as those United have some major rebuilding to do.

Moyes started that process last month when he smashed the club's transfer record to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea for £37.1million and Rooney signing a new deal is another boost for the Scot.

Confirmation from Ed Woodward, the club's vice-chairman, that Moyes will be handed significant funds this summer, also appears to have helped persuade Rooney to remain at Old Trafford.

"The future is bright for Manchester United," Rooney said.

"This is still one of the world's leading clubs. We have seen this with the signing of Juan Mata in January.

"People have been saying we may have trouble attracting the world's best players but I think the fact Mata came here shows this isn't true.

"This is a new era for the club, we have a new management team and a great new manager in David Moyes, there has to be some time for change.

"We have some great players here and despite our recent form everyone has stuck together and the team spirit is still good, we will continue to work hard and get Manchester United to the top where it belongs."

Rooney denied that he had demanded to become captain or had sought assurances on the club's future transfer targets before signing.

The fact that he has pledged his allegiance to United when so many clubs were interested in him has helped his chances of succeeding Nemanja Vidic as captain a lot, however.

Rooney also found time to thank the fans, whom he said were key in his decision to sign the new deal.

United supporters hold Rooney in high regard despite the fact that he asked to leave the club in 2010 and - according to Sir Alex Ferguson - again last season. Rooney has always denied he submitted a second transfer request.

By the time his contract at United ends, Rooney hopes to have broken Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 249 goals.

Rooney is fourth in United's all-time top scorers, just 48 behind 1966 World Cup winner Charlton.

"It's a great opportunity to try to break those kinds of records. I'm not too far away even though I've still got a few goals to go, but I'm confident I can reach it. Hopefully it will happen and if it does it will be a really proud moment," Rooney added on MUTV.

"My aim is always to score and create as many goals as possible, so if I can continue to score regularly and break the record then I would be delighted."

United also confirmed that Rooney has agreed to become an ambassador for the club when he retires.